[OCCRA]: Batteries & Cables
 

OCCRA:

Two quick questions:

(1) The new cable provided to the vex cortex that allows the key to be placed outside the electrical box of the robot on our unit has just become impossible to keep in place tightly. We have tried tape and several methods, but it is so loose we just can not acheive a reliable connection. Can we simply go back to inserting the key into the cortex? The key fits perfectly.

(2) Is there a problem using all regular AAA bateries in the X box controllers? The rechargable batteries at times for us have become unreliable, and at this point with only two competitions left, we would like to change to simply new AAA batteries.

Re: [OCCRA]: Batteries & Cables
 

You are not required to use the extension cables (in fact, teams with the older Cortex version can't use the USB 2.0)

Rechargeable batteries were supplied in the original kit of VEX supplies from OCCRA to save the teams money. There is a limit to the number of times they can be charged and discharged--yours may be reaching that limit. You may use whatever AAA batteries you like, as long as they are less than $90 and are readily available to all teams. OCCRA still requests that all teams have fresh batteries with the CORTEX turned "ON" during each match AND we want you to use our power supply at the driver station as a battery back-up.